McHugh confirmed as Army secretary
Kansas senators allow the nomination to move forward after receiving assurances the Defense Department will not transfer Guantanamo detainees to a prison in Fort Leavenworth.
After weeks of delay, the Senate Wednesday confirmed Rep. John McHugh, R-N.Y., as Army secretary. The vote was by unanimous consent.
McHugh's confirmation came on the same day that Kansas Republican Sens. Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback lifted their hold on his nomination over concerns that the Obama administration would move detainees held at the facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to the maximum-security military prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
Brownback and Roberts released the hold after getting assurances from Defense Department officials that "detainees will not be transferred to Fort Leavenworth," they said.
McHugh, first elected to the House in 1992, is expected to resign his seat immediately. Candidates have started campaigns in upstate New York's 23rd District.